Striker Shanyder Borgelin, Inter Miami CF II's top scorer from 2022, has been rewarded with a first-team contract. Inter Miami announced on Thursday that the 21-year-old signed a homegrown contract with the club through 2024 with options for 2025-2026.
Borgelin, the 23rd all-time MLS NEXT Pro player promoted to a first-team contract, was one of the brightest stars in the league last season thanks in large part to his 14-goal, three-assist contribution that helped keep Inter Miami II in the playoff hunt until Decision Day. The 14-goal mark placed Borgelin tied for fourth in the Golden Boot race.
"We’re pleased for Shanyder to be able to take this next step and officially join the first team environment,” Inter Miami chief soccer officer and sporting director Chris Henderson said in a press release.
“Shanyder is a talented young player and a great person with the right mentality to continue to progress. We’re happy to continue that development here at Inter Miami, his hometown club.”
Borgelin is a product of the Philadelphia Union Academy and turned professional in 2019. It appears the move has been in the making over the last several weeks, as Inter Miami traded to acquire Borgelin's priority homegrown rights in a deal with the Union last month.
“When I first heard that I was getting promoted to the first team it was a surreal moment for me and my family. My agents called me and told me everything was worked out. Right then and there I kind of just broke down and cried because since I was a kid I wanted to be in this position and be able to play at the highest level,” Borgelin said in a statement provided by the club. “It's been a long wait, but I’m just happy to be living this moment right now.”
Borgelin joins MLS mainstay Josef Martínez in the Miami striking corps as the club looks to return to the MLS Cup Playoffs for a second consecutive season.
As for Inter Miami II, the departure leaves big shoes to fill in the club's second act in MLS NEXT Pro. Newly-installed head coach Federico Higuaín leads the charge in what will be a largely new-looking side in the season ahead.
